Visual Novel Recommendation: Ever17 -The Out of Infinity-
Recently, arcueid and eneyla have been pimping Fate/Stay Night on their journals in an attempt to raise interest in visual novels. I decided, I wanted to steal this idea to promote one of my favorite VNs that even some of the more VN savy people on my Flist have not played. Ever 17 -The Out of Infinity- is a mystery/thriller Visual novel, and in this post, I will put a bunch of effort into swaying my friend's list to try out a Visual Novel. I can only hope I'll peak your interest, and if I can get even one of my friends to try out this great game, I'll be so ridiculously ecstatic. First off, if any of you are afraid of this game being a sexfest, there's no need. Ever17 is one of few visual novels without any hentai. It's pretty much a 15+ game.
The game's opening movie
Click to viewOkay, fuck this. I tried summarizing it but fucked up. Have a surprisingly well-done Wikipedia description
Ever 17 is the tale of seven individuals who come to be trapped within the underwater marine theme park, LeMU, 153 feet below the surface. During an apparently normal day at the park, a massive accident happens, placing almost half of the facility underwater. The path to the surface and the communication lines are cut off. In addition, LeMU is under constant assault by severe water pressure, limiting time to find a means of escape to 119 hours. Escape is not the only concern, however; many questions arise as to the legitimacy of the accident and whether or not those trapped there were brought there for a purpose.
As the situation grows more desperate, the people trapped inside LeMU grow closer. They begin to uncover the answers to mysteries about themselves, LeMU, and the situation itself. As the end of LeMU grows nearer, so too do the mysteries and relationships forged by the situation grow deeper. Ultimately, it is up to the characters not only to survive, but to discover the truth behind LeMU and themselves as well.
Takeshi and the Kid are the main characters, whom the player can control and view the storyline through. Each has a different path through the game, and each has different endings. Takeshi's endings involve Tsugumi and Sora, whereas the Kid's endings involve You and Sara. Obtaining each of these endings relies on making the correct choices throughout the scenario. After the player has completed all four of Takeshi's and the Kid's endings, the final path, Coco's path, will open. Once the player has started the game after unlocking Coco's path, new choices appear early in both perspectives that determine if the player moves to Coco's path.
Honestly, one of the best parts of Ever17 is the diverse cast of characters. You grow with all of them as the story progresses. Granted, everyone's going to have their own favorites, but by the end, I think you'll like them all. I stole the descriptions from an Ever17 fansite that is so chalk-full of spoilers there's no way I'll link it here. The descriptions are modified for spoiler and engrish reasons.
Kuranari Takeshi:
One of the two player-perspective is Takeshi Kuranari. Takeshi is a 20 years old college student who is visiting LeMU on that fateful day when the incident occurs. He is not the smartest person in the group, but his passion along stubbornness allows him to think passionately and put everyone else's safely, along their happiness, in front his own agenda. Takeshi's routes are Sora and Tsugumi.
"The Kid" (Shounen):
The other player-perspective. A mysterious adolescent who lost his memory right before LeMU's accident. He does not remember his name, age, nor anything related to his personal history. He appears to be around 14 to 16 of age. The Kid's routes are You and Sara
Komachi Tsugumi:
An anti-social young woman with an unknown past. She avoids other people in the group and tends to do things her own way. She seemed to know a lot about LeMU when the flooding struck... Her route can only be played through Takeshi.
Akanegasaki Sora:
Sora is a 24-year-old assistant chief working in LeMU as a guide. She is always smiling, helpful, and calm--even in unusual times such as when Takeshi and others were first trapped. She knows just about everything about LeMu, despite only being a guide... Her route can only be played through Takeshi
Tanaka "You":
You is an energetic college freshman who just started working part-time in LeMU. You's personality is easy to comprehend: she is very outgoing and show all emotions on her face; You is the unofficial leader of the group and often cheers up others with her radiating smile. However, despite the cheery girl on the outside, You harbors quite the past, and has her own motives for being at LeMu... Her route can only be played through The Kid.
Matsunaga Sara:
A funny, smart, and somewhat strange girl, Sara is also a genius hacker. She's visiting LeMu with her high school to do mandatory community service. Upon seeing You, it is revealed the two are actually already acquainted, as they both went to the same school. For some reason, Sara only appears in The Kid's routes... Naturally, you knows that Sara is Kid Route only.
Yagami Coco:
Coco is a middle school girl with a voice that makes you think she's much younger. She is the most active person in the group, running around with her pet dog Pipi and humming her own strange songs. She appears mostly in Takeshi's route, and only sparsely in The Kid's routes. She is definitely the most mysterious member of the group. Her route can only be played once a good ending is achieved for each of the other four girls. Then, Coco's route is opened and as any good Ever17 fan will tell you, the brick shitting begins. Her route is awesome, revealing mindblowing revelations one right after the other. It's only through playing Coco's route can the true ending to the LeMu disaster be revealed. Her route switches perspectives between Takeshi and The Kid.
Now, you kids might be wondering what routes to play and in what order. Well, do whatever you please, but here's what I recommend:
Sora>You>Tsugumi>Sara>Coco
or
You>Sora>Sara>Tsugumi>Coco
I find that in this order, each route is equally emotionally touching, and will have something exciting happening. I specifically chose Tsugumi or Sara last because they have the best twists (aside from Coco, of course). I Highly recommend playing Sora's route before Tsugumi's, whatever you do. It's the only way you'll really enjoy it.
How to get Ever17:
Have I peaked your interest? I damn well hope I have! Anyways, you are probably now wondering how to get your hands on this masterpiece of a game? Well, I'll tell you now: You can get it for free on *~THE INTERNET~*. Granted, you may be morally opposed to the use of pirating and torrents. Well, I'm all for paying for quality, but seeing as how the company that created this game, as well as the one who licensed it are now bankrupt I figure it's okay to steal xD. Here's the game torrent. To play, you'll also need A torrenting program as well as something like Daemon tools. IF YOU NEED HELP JUST CONTACT ME ON MSN (gtsouras@hotmail.com) OR SOMETHING AND I'LL GLADLY HELP YOU SET IT UP.
So yeah, that's my little pimpage of Ever17. If even one person checks it out, I'd be so happy. I know I said that already, but still. Ever17 is widely regarded as not only one of the greatest English translated Visual Novels, but is actually quite critically acclaimed in Japan. Making top ten lists everywhere. There is one thing I must stress about Ever17 however. STAY AWAY FROM SPOILERS AT ALL COSTS WHILE PLAYING THIS GAME. EVEN IF YOU MUST DISCONNECT YOUR INTERNET. Ever17 seriously has some of the best twists ever found in a game, and to ruin them would be a shame. These twists will literally change how you play every game in the future. I'm not kidding. Don't spoil yourself. It'll be so worth it.
In conclusion, PLAY THIS GAME HOLY CRAP, IT'S GOT BRICK SHITTING AND BAWWING AND EVERYTHING I CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW GREAT IT IS
Please? ;_;